EP1878901A1 - Moteur alternatif - Google Patents

Moteur alternatif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1878901A1
EP1878901A1 EP06732389A EP06732389A EP1878901A1 EP 1878901 A1 EP1878901 A1 EP 1878901A1 EP 06732389 A EP06732389 A EP 06732389A EP 06732389 A EP06732389 A EP 06732389A EP 1878901 A1 EP1878901 A1 EP 1878901A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
ring
thrust side
piston ring
gas chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP06732389A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1878901A4 (fr
EP1878901B1 (fr
Inventor
Shigeru Bando
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bando Kiko Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Bando Kiko Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bando Kiko Co Ltd filed Critical Bando Kiko Co Ltd
Publication of EP1878901A1 publication Critical patent/EP1878901A1/fr
Publication of EP1878901A4 publication Critical patent/EP1878901A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1878901B1 publication Critical patent/EP1878901B1/fr
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02F3/00—Pistons 
    • F02F3/24—Pistons  having means for guiding gases in cylinders, e.g. for guiding scavenging charge in two-stroke engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02F1/00—Cylinders; Cylinder heads 
    • F02F1/18—Other cylinders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02F3/00—Pistons 
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02F5/00—Piston rings, e.g. associated with piston crown
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J9/00—Piston-rings, e.g. non-metallic piston-rings, seats therefor; Ring sealings of similar construction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a reciprocating engine for use in an automobile, a marine vessel, an industrial prime mover, or the like.
  • Patent Document 1 JP-A-4-347352
  • a reciprocating engine in which a second piston ring (second ring) disposed with a first piston ring (top ring) interposed between the same and a top surface (head end surface) of a piston is inclined with respect to the reciprocating direction of the piston, such that a gas-pressure receiving area of the piston between the first piston ring and the second piston ring becomes greater on a thrust side than on an anti-thrust side, and gases from a combustion chamber are adapted to be introduced into an annular gas chamber between the first piston ring and the second piston ring.
  • larger gas pressure is produced on the thrust side than on the anti-thrust side so as to gas float the piston with respect to the cylinder.
  • the gas-pressure receiving area of the piston between the first piston ring and the second piston ring is made greater on the thrust side than on the anti-thrust side by inclining only the second piston ring, so that the angle of inclination of the second piston ring becomes large, and the second piston ring becomes remarkably elliptical in shape.
  • the second piston ring becomes difficult to rotate relative to the piston, and that damage or the like is likely to be caused to the second piston ring and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder which is in sliding contact with that second piston ring.
  • the fabrication of the piston ring which is remarkably elliptical in shape is also difficult.
  • the present invention has been devised in view of the above-described aspects, and its object is to provide a reciprocating engine which makes it possible to gas float the piston with respect to the cylinder, reduce the angle of inclination of each of the first and second piston rings, and form the annular gas chamber for effectively producing a floating force for gas floating, and in which circular piston rings can be used, the gastightness between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and the outer peripheral surfaces of the piston rings can be ensured, and damage or the like is difficult to cause to the piston rings and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
  • a reciprocating engine in accordance with the invention comprises: a first piston ring disposed adjacent to a top surface of a piston defining a combustion chamber; a second piston ring disposed with the first piston ring interposed between the second piston ring and the top surface of the piston; an annular gas chamber defined by the first piston ring and the second piston ring; and one or a plurality of communicating passages for allowing the annular gas chamber and the combustion chamber to communicate with each other, wherein the first piston ring and the second piston ring are respectively inclined with respect to a reciprocating direction of the piston so as to be located further away from each other on a thrust side than on a anti-thrust side.
  • one or a plurality of communicating passages are provided for allowing the annular gas chamber and the combustion chamber to communicate with each other, and the first piston ring and the second piston ring are respectively inclined with respect to the reciprocating direction of the piston so as to be located further away from each other on the thrust side than on the anti-thrust side. Therefore, a larger gas pressure can be produced in the annular gas chamber on the thrust side than on the anti-thrust side, thereby making it possible to gas float the piston with respect to the cylinder and reducing the angle of inclination of each of the first piston ring and the second piston ring. Hence, it is possible to form the annular gas chamber for effectively producing a floating force for gas floating.
  • conventional circular piston rings can be used as the first piston ring and the second piston ring, and the first piston ring and the second piston ring can be set in a state of being easily rotatable with respect to the piston and the cylinder. Furthermore, the gastightness between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and the outer peripheral surfaces of the piston rings can be ensured, and damage or the like is made difficult to cause to the piston rings and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
  • the first piston ring and the second piston ring are located closer to each other on the anti-thrust side.
  • the communicating passage is disposed on the thrust side so as to allow the annular gas chamber and the combustion chamber to communicate with each other when the piston is positioned at a top dead center or in a vicinity of the top dead center.
  • the invention it is possible to provide a reciprocating engine which makes it possible to gas float the piston with respect to the cylinder, reduce the angle of inclination of each of the first and second piston rings, and form the annular gas chamber for effectively producing a floating force for gas floating, and in which circular piston rings can be used, the gastightness between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and the outer peripheral surfaces of the piston rings can be ensured, and damage or the like is difficult to cause to the piston rings and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
  • a reciprocating engine 1 in accordance with this embodiment is comprised of an annular top ring 5 serving as a first piston ring disposed adjacent to a top surface (head end surface) 4 of a piston 3 defining a combustion chamber 2; an annular second ring 6 serving as a second piston ring disposed with the top ring 5 interposed between the annular second ring 6 and the top surface 4; an annular gas chamber 7 defined by the top ring 5 and the second ring 6; and a plurality of communicating passages 8 for allowing the annular gas chamber 7 and the combustion chamber 2 to communicate with each other.
  • the reciprocating engine 1 may be a two-cycle or four-cycle gasoline engine or may be a diesel engine.
  • Piston ring grooves in which the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 are respectively fitted and secured, are provided on a circumferential surface 22 connected to the top surface 4 of the piston 3 which reciprocates in a cylinder 21 in an X direction.
  • an oil ring groove in which an oil ring 23 disposed with the second ring 6 interposed between the same and the top ring 5 is fitted and secured, is also provided on the circumferential surface 22.
  • the top surface 4 is parallel to a plane perpendicular to the X direction.
  • the piston 3 is connected to one end of a connecting rod 24 by means of a piston pin 25.
  • a crankshaft 26 is connected to the other end of the connecting rod 24.
  • An inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21 defines a cylinder bore (space) 32 where the piston 3 is disposed.
  • An ignition plug 34, an intake valve 35, and an exhaust valve (not shown) are provided in a head portion 33 of the cylinder 21.
  • a portion 41 on a thrust side 9 of the top ring 5 is disposed in closer proximity to the top surface 4 in the X direction than a portion 42 on an anti-thrust side 10 of the top ring 5.
  • the portion 41 is located further away from the second ring 6 in the X direction than the portion 42.
  • An outer peripheral surface 43 of the top ring 5 is in slidable contact with the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21.
  • the top ring 5 defines the combustion chamber 2 in cooperation with the cylinder 21 and the piston 3 and defines the annular gas chamber 7 in cooperation with the cylinder 21, the piston 3 and the second ring 6.
  • Such a top ring 5 is inclined with respect to the X direction in which the piston 3 reciprocates, so as to be located further away from the second ring 6 on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10.
  • the top ring 5 is also inclined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the X direction, and an angle of such inclination is preferably 1 degree to 3 degrees, more preferably 2 degrees to 3 degrees, and even more preferably 2.3 degrees or thereabouts.
  • the top ring 5 is fitted and secured in the piston ring groove (top ring groove) of the piston 3 with a slight gap so as to assume such a state as to be capable of rotating with respect to the piston 3 in a C direction shown in Fig. 2, i.e., the circumferential direction of the piston 3, and to be movable in a radial direction.
  • a portion 51 on the thrust side 9 of the second ring 6 is disposed further away from the top surface 4 in the X direction than a portion 52 on the anti-thrust side 10 of the second ring 6.
  • the portion 51 is disposed further away from the top ring 5 in the X direction than the portion 52.
  • the distance from the portion 41 to the portion 51 in the X direction is longer than the distance between the portion 42 to the portion 52 in the X direction.
  • An outer peripheral surface 53 of the second ring 6 is in slidable contact with the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21.
  • the second ring 6 defines the annular gas chamber 7 in cooperation with the cylinder 21, the piston 3, and the top ring 5.
  • Such a second ring 6 is inclined with respect to the X direction in which the piston 3 reciprocates, so as to be located further away from the top ring 5 on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10.
  • the second ring 6 is also inclined in an opposite direction to the top ring 5 with respect to the plane perpendicular to the X direction, and an angle of such inclination is preferably 1 degree to 3 degrees, more preferably 2 degrees to 3 degrees, and even more preferably 2.3 degrees or thereabouts.
  • the second ring 6 is inclined in the opposite direction to the inclination of the top ring 5, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the second ring 6 is fitted and secured in the piston ring groove (second ring groove) of the piston 3 with a slight gap so as to assume such a state as to be capable of rotating with respect to the piston 3 in the C direction and to be movable in the radial direction.
  • the respective angles of inclination of the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 with respect to the plane perpendicular to the X direction may be mutually identical angles.
  • the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 may be symmetrical.
  • the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 are located further away from each other in the X direction on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10 and are located closer to each other on the anti-thrust side 10 than on the thrust side 9.
  • the gas-pressure receiving area of the circumferential surface 22 between the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 is greater on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10, and gradually increases from the anti-thrust side 10 toward the thrust side 9.
  • each communicating passage 8 is respectively disposed on the thrust side 9 to allow the annular gas chamber 7 and the combustion chamber 2 to communicate with each other when the piston 3 is positioned at the top dead center or in the vicinity of the top dead center.
  • Each of the communicating passages 8 has a recess 61 provided on the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21.
  • the recesses 61 in this embodiment are respectively arranged on the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to mutually simultaneously allow the annular gas chamber 7 to communicate with the combustion chamber 2 in a case where the piston 3 dwells at a position corresponding to between substantially 0 to 5 degrees and 20 to 30 degrees in the crank angle with respect to the X direction in the explosion stroke. It should be noted that the aforementioned crank angle for communication is determined by the piston diameter and the stroke.
  • the three recesses 61 are respectively arranged at mutually equal intervals in the C direction.
  • the recess 61 located on one side in the direction in which the piston pin 25 extends and the recess 61 located on the other side are opposed to each other in the direction in which the piston pin 25 extends, and the recess 61 located between these two recesses 61 is disposed so as to allow the combustion chamber 2 to communicate with the annular gas chamber 7 through the portion 41 of the top ring 5.
  • the recess 61 on the one side and the recess 61 on the other side may be arranged in the X direction so as to mutually simultaneously allow the combustion chamber 2 to communicate with the annular gas chamber 7 before or after the communication between the combustion chamber 2 and the annular gas chamber 7 through the recess 61 located between the two recesses 61.
  • the recess 61 located between the recess 61 on the one side and the recess 61 on the other side may be omitted.
  • each recess 61 is disposed on each of one side and the other side of the portion 41 of the top ring 5 in the direction in which the piston pin 25 extends
  • two or more recesses 61 may be disposed on the one side, and the recesses 61 in a number identical to that of the recesses 61 on the one side may be disposed on the other side.
  • the reciprocating engine 1 has the plurality of communicating passages 8
  • the reciprocating engine 1 may have only one communicating passage 8, for example.
  • a lateral pressure A directed toward the thrust side 9 is imparted to the piston 3 which is forwardly moved, in the light of such as relationships among the gas pressure to which the piston 3 is subjected between the top surface 4 and the top ring 5, the rotation of the crankshaft 26 in an R direction, and the inclination of the connecting rod 24, whereas, against such a lateral pressure A, a lateral pressure B is also imparted thereto which is directed toward the anti-thrust side 10 on the basis of the gas pressure in the annular gas chamber 7 produced on a larger scale on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10.
  • the piston 3 to which the lateral pressures A and B are thus imparted is gas floated with respect to the cylinder 21.
  • the reciprocating engine 1 in accordance with this embodiment is comprised of the top ring 5 disposed adjacent to the top surface 4 of the piston 3 defining the combustion chamber 2; the second ring 6 disposed with the top ring 5 interposed between the same and the top surface 4 of the piston 3; the annular gas chamber 7 defined by the top ring 5 and the second ring 6; and one or a plurality of communicating passages 8 for allowing the annular gas chamber 7 and the combustion chamber 2 to communicate with each other.
  • the top ring 5 and the second ring 6 are respectively inclined with respect to the X direction which is the reciprocating direction of the piston 3, so as to be located further away from each other on the thrust side 9 than on the anti-thrust side 10.
  • the gastightness between, on the one hand, the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21 and, on the other hand, the outer peripheral surface 43 of the top ring 5 and the outer peripheral surface 53 of the second ring 6 can be ensured, and damage or the like is made difficult to cause to the top ring 5, the second ring 6, and the inner peripheral surface 31 of the cylinder 21.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Pistons, Piston Rings, And Cylinders (AREA)
  • Cylinder Crankcases Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
EP06732389.9A 2005-04-27 2006-04-26 Moteur alternatif Expired - Fee Related EP1878901B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2005/008077 WO2006117856A1 (fr) 2005-04-27 2005-04-27 Moteur alternatif
PCT/JP2006/308783 WO2006118165A1 (fr) 2005-04-27 2006-04-26 Moteur alternatif

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1878901A1 true EP1878901A1 (fr) 2008-01-16
EP1878901A4 EP1878901A4 (fr) 2013-04-03
EP1878901B1 EP1878901B1 (fr) 2014-05-07

Family

ID=37307663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06732389.9A Expired - Fee Related EP1878901B1 (fr) 2005-04-27 2006-04-26 Moteur alternatif

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US7931003B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1878901B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP4918033B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR100976868B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN101166897B (fr)
AU (1) AU2006241845A1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0610624A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2605227A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2007013206A (fr)
RU (1) RU2371597C2 (fr)
WO (2) WO2006117856A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011093106A1 (fr) 2010-02-01 2011-08-04 坂東機工株式会社 Moteur alternatif
WO2012017590A1 (fr) * 2010-08-04 2012-02-09 坂東機工株式会社 Moteur à piston
JP2012036902A (ja) * 2011-10-21 2012-02-23 Bando Kiko Co Ltd 往復動エンジン
JP2013167253A (ja) * 2013-05-21 2013-08-29 Bando Kiko Co Ltd 往復動エンジン

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4821856B2 (ja) 2006-10-20 2011-11-24 坂東機工株式会社 往復動エンジン
KR101039857B1 (ko) * 2009-05-19 2011-06-09 미래산업 주식회사 테스트 핸들러용 소자 접속장치 및 이를 이용한 테스트 핸들러
US9945319B1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2018-04-17 Richard Truhill Method and fuel supply system for a progressive impulse internal combustion engine
DE102018215092A1 (de) * 2018-09-05 2020-03-05 Mahle International Gmbh Kolben einer Brennkraftmaschine

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5265565A (en) * 1990-08-03 1993-11-30 Bando Kiko Co., Ltd. Reciprocating engine

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6224776Y2 (fr) * 1979-01-29 1987-06-24
JP2927039B2 (ja) 1991-04-20 1999-07-28 坂東機工株式会社 エンジン
JP2929771B2 (ja) * 1991-05-22 1999-08-03 坂東機工株式会社 エンジン
JP2988010B2 (ja) * 1991-05-22 1999-12-06 坂東機工株式会社 エンジン
JP2929777B2 (ja) 1991-06-08 1999-08-03 坂東機工株式会社 エンジン
JPH05106508A (ja) * 1991-10-18 1993-04-27 Kubota Corp エンジンのピストン・クランク軸連動装置
RU2005121918A (ru) * 2003-03-03 2006-01-20 Бандо Кико Ко., Лтд. (JP) Поршневой двигатель
JP4347352B2 (ja) 2007-02-19 2009-10-21 エヌイーシーコンピュータテクノ株式会社 ベクトルデータ処理装置

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5265565A (en) * 1990-08-03 1993-11-30 Bando Kiko Co., Ltd. Reciprocating engine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2006118165A1 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011093106A1 (fr) 2010-02-01 2011-08-04 坂東機工株式会社 Moteur alternatif
WO2012017590A1 (fr) * 2010-08-04 2012-02-09 坂東機工株式会社 Moteur à piston
JP2012036902A (ja) * 2011-10-21 2012-02-23 Bando Kiko Co Ltd 往復動エンジン
JP2013167253A (ja) * 2013-05-21 2013-08-29 Bando Kiko Co Ltd 往復動エンジン

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR100976868B1 (ko) 2010-08-23
EP1878901A4 (fr) 2013-04-03
JPWO2006117856A1 (ja) 2008-12-18
US7931003B2 (en) 2011-04-26
CA2605227A1 (fr) 2006-11-09
AU2006241845A1 (en) 2006-11-09
RU2007139475A (ru) 2009-06-10
JP4918033B2 (ja) 2012-04-18
BRPI0610624A2 (pt) 2010-07-13
WO2006117856A1 (fr) 2006-11-09
WO2006118165A1 (fr) 2006-11-09
RU2371597C2 (ru) 2009-10-27
CN101166897A (zh) 2008-04-23
US20090071433A1 (en) 2009-03-19
KR20080002841A (ko) 2008-01-04
CN101166897B (zh) 2010-06-16
EP1878901B1 (fr) 2014-05-07
MX2007013206A (es) 2008-01-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1878901B1 (fr) Moteur alternatif
US8069833B2 (en) Reciprocating engine
CN100538055C (zh) 具有不对称销孔槽布置的活塞
US10113643B2 (en) Compression piston ring for an internal combustion engine
CN101403347A (zh) 用于内燃机的活塞裙部油保持件
US7464683B2 (en) Reciprocating engine
US20170030290A1 (en) Recess to encourage ring lift
CN108260358B (zh) 具有开槽式顶部槽脊的发动机活塞
JP2929771B2 (ja) エンジン
JP4725580B2 (ja) 往復動エンジン
EP1356195B1 (fr) Moteur a combustion interne
JPH04362258A (ja) エンジン
EP1533509A1 (fr) Moteur alternatif
KR20090131028A (ko) 왕복운동 엔진
CN112443394B (zh) 用于机动车辆内燃机的活塞组件
KR20150023456A (ko) 회전식 피스톤 내연 엔진용 씨일 조립체
JP2008051047A (ja) 往復動エンジン
JP2004132322A (ja) 往復動エンジン
JPH0587249U (ja) シリンダブロック構造
KR20050097012A (ko) 효율성을 개선한 내연기관용 엔진용 피스톤

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20071010

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FI FR GB IT

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE ES FI FR GB IT

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20130228

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F16J 9/00 20060101ALI20130222BHEP

Ipc: F02F 3/00 20060101ALI20130222BHEP

Ipc: F02F 5/00 20060101ALI20130222BHEP

Ipc: F02F 1/18 20060101AFI20130222BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20131127

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FI FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006041453

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20140618

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006041453

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20150210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006041453

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602006041453

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20150426

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150426

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20151103

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150426

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20151231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150430